Keeping birds off your deck railing requires a combination of strategies that deter them from landing or nesting there. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this in a humane way:
1. Remove Attractants
Before employing any deterrents, make sure your deck area isn’t drawing birds in the first place.
– Step 1: Keep your deck clean of food scraps or crumbs that may attract birds.
– Step 2: If you have pet food outdoors, move it inside or keep it covered when not in use.
– Step 3: Ensure your trash bins are sealed and not accessible to birds.
2. Install Physical Barriers
Physical barriers can prevent birds from accessing your deck railing to perch or nest.
– Step 1: Purchase bird spikes and install them on the deck railing. These spikes are not harmful to birds but make it uncomfortable for them to land.
– Step 2: Install a slope on the railing using a product specifically designed to create an angle that birds cannot comfortably perch on.
– Step 3: Place netting or a deck guard under and around the deck to prevent birds from nesting underneath or reaching the railing.
3. Use Visual Deterrents
Birds are often scared away by unexpected visual cues.
– Step 1: Hang reflective tape, CDs, or aluminum foil strips near your deck. The reflections and movement irritate birds and discourage them from coming close.
– Step 2: Install a fake predator, like an owl or hawk statue, on or near your deck railing. Move it regularly to keep birds from realizing it isn’t real.
– Step 3: Use balloons with eyespots or reflective surfaces around your deck – the movement and light reflections create an inhospitable environment for birds.
4. Apply Non-toxic Repellents
Certain smells and tastes can deter birds without harming them.
– Step 1: Purchase a non-toxic bird repellent gel or spray and apply it according to the manufacturer’s directions on your deck railing. Reapply as necessary.
– Step 2: Home remedies can include spraying diluted vinegar or using essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, or eucalyptus.
5. Introduce Noise Deterrents
Noises can scare birds away effectively.
– Step 1: Hang wind chimes on your deck. The unpredictable clanging and movement can deter birds.
– Step 2: Use ultrasonic bird repellent devices that emit sounds inaudible to humans but bothersome to birds.
6. Maintain Regular Activity
Birds prefer quiet, undisturbed areas to settle down.
– Step 1: Use your deck regularly. Human activity is often enough to keep birds from taking up residence.
– Step 2: Move furniture around occasionally or create natural movements using fans or other mechanisms.
7. Create a Distraction
Give birds an alternative place to land that is more appealing than your deck railing.
– Step 1: Install a bird feeder or bath away from your deck. This can attract birds to a different part of your yard.
– Step 2: Plant trees or shrubs that provide good perching spots away from your deck.
Conclusion
By combining these strategies, you can effectively keep birds off your deck railing while also ensuring that the birds are not harmed in the process. It might take some experimentation with different methods to see what works best for your situation, but with patience and persistence, you can enjoy a bird-free deck.
Make sure to check local wildlife regulations before undertaking any measures to deter birds, as some species may be protected by law.